Music: George Frederic Handel

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25th June 2021
George Frederic Handel
Introduction
Handel's oratorio passion is considered exceptionally unique, ethically driven, and hallowed by not just moral ideologies but liturgical dignity that predefined the baroque era. The coincidental overlap and similarity between baroque and classical-era music are attributed to the fact that all-time classic masterpieces were birthed during this period. While the baroque era remains the epitome of classical music, George Frederic Handel fathered the music genre. He remains the greatest baroque composer due to his popular oratorios, operas, anthems, and organ concertos (Bucchianeri 280).
One of his greatest masterpieces of all time is ‘Messiah’. Two of his other classics are Water music and music for the Royal Fireworks (Donald 220b). His compositions were largely influenced by the Italian baroque and the Middle age polyphonic renditions. Besides, the Messiah, two of his all-time classics includes Water Music, Zadok the Priest (A coronation anthem), and the Music for the Royal Fireworks (Christopher 130). Though he composed and performed over forty operas during the Baroque era, the sudden interest in baroque music performances in the 1960s triggered my interest in studying his life and music. Although baroque music gradually developed from the renaissance era, George Frederic Handel’s music revival in the mid-1960s sparked scholarly interest in studying his work and performances.
Why Study George Handel?
George Frederic Handel remains an iconic classical music genius not just for the baroque period, but of the classic era and beyond. For a period spanning three decades, his works that include operas, oratorios, and instrumentals dominated music performances in England. For over two and a half decades, interest in his musical work has soared (Donald 220b). Reason being that his compositions have magnificent melodies, and notable tunes. Secondly, his compositions are exceptionally grand while his operas and oratorios are renowned for their superior and emotional insight and poetic arrangement. Still, he is the only baroque-era composer whose recordings have lately been revived. As modern opera singers record their compositions (Bucchianeri 280).
Handel’s Biography
George Frederic Handel was a German-born Baroque era English composer who was born on 23rd, February 1685 and died in 1759 in England. H became famous for his operas, oratorios, concertos, anthems, and instrumental performances (Christopher 130). His most popular oratorio to date is Messiah which he composed in 1741. He also became famous for his works such as the Water Music and The Royal Fireworks Music. Though a trained lawyer, George Frederic Handel abandoned the legal profession for music after he received music training at Halle, Hamburg in Italy (Donald 220b). However, he migrated to England before settling in London in 1712.
Handel’s Popular Oratorios
This section discusses three of Handel’s most famous oratorios namely the Messiah, Water Music, and The Royal Fireworks.
Oratorio 1: The Messiah
Messiah is perhaps Handel's most popular baroque era oratorio, which was composed using all the conventions of baroque music (Marian 310). It is a large piece of a musical composition comprising of different pieces with contrasting moods and musical themes. The Messiah is for orchestra performance in a large instrumental ensemble. Handel used stringed instruments, woodwinds, timpani, brass, harpsichord, and the organ. Two orchestral movements have been used, while voices and text are omitted (Winton 447; Christopher 130).
Structure and instrumentation
The music opens with a ‘Sinfony’ that plays the role of an overture. However, its contrasting overture distinctly sets it apart from baroque operas and other 18th century oratorios. The ‘Sinfony’ and ‘Pifa’, divide part I of the music into two parts. Messiah is dominated by instrumental music played by a variety of ritornello other instruments (Bucchianeri 280). The libretto consists of three distinct but separate sections. It is divided into six parts namely prophesy, judgment, Christ’s birth prophesies, incarnation, redemption, and healing. The five parts comprise part I, which consists of recitative and aria movements that end with a large-scale chorus. Part II consists of a Chorus, "Hallelujah" while Part II ends the oratorio with reflections of Christ's death and victory (Marian 310).
Handel uses key relationships to present a harmonic structure that cuts across Part I of Messiah. There is a brief harmonic discontinuity that is later restored to create a logical musical progression. Messiah has a distinct chorus structure different from other oratorios and operas. He uses three choruses that prominently feature throughout the Messiah. These are the anthem, duet, and fugue chorus (Eva 320). The anthem chorus consists of homophonic and polyphonic instrumentation that each presents a unique musical idea. This style can be heard in the opening part of "And the glory of the Lord". The duet chorus comprises two solo voices and a continuo. Handel reused the musical section across all the four chorus voices (Donald 620a). Still, the Chorus has paired voices that feature prominently. The duet structure and texture permit...